County First in Nation to Pass Energy Benchmarking Law
County Executive Ike Leggett will sign seven-bill environmental package including the Energy Benchmarking Bill into law today. Montgomery becomes first county in the nation to pass Energy Benchmarking Law.
County Executive Ike Leggett will sign a package of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability measures, proposed by County Councilmember Roger Berliner and passed unanimously by the County Council, that promote stewardship of environmental resources for future generations. Stewardship for future generations has been a cornerstone of Leggett’s Smart Growth Initiative in terms of planning for future growth at appropriate transit-oriented locations.
The measures were passed by the Council on Earth Day. In addition to Berliner, Councilmembers Cherri Branson and Mark Elrich will attend.
Among the measures are:
- Bill 2-14 , which requires the County and owners of nonresidential buildings to measure the energy efficiency of their buildings and to make the information public.
- Bill 4-14, which requires the County to contract for street light maintenance with a company that commits to install LED lights – or another energy-efficient technology equivalent or superior to energy efficient lights. Many current street lights are outdated and inefficient, and LED lighting is more energy efficient and requires less maintenance.
- Bill 9-14, which requires that 50 percent of the County’s electric power usage be supplied with renewable energy by Fiscal Year 2015 and 100 percent by 2016.Currently, approximately 30 percent of the County’s electric power usage is supplied by renewable energy sources.
- Bill 11-14, which requires the Department of Permitting Services to implement an expedited and less-costly process for permits to install charging stations for electric vehicles.
Related:
Councilmember Berliner Proposes Green Bills (Video)
Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner is known as being an advocate for the environment, having sponsored a host of measures aimed at protection. This week, he has taken another step in that mission by introducing a package of bills that address climate change. Susan Kenedy reports. Visit our PEG partner County Cable Montgomery to view […]
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